George W. Wilmot

George William Wilmot George William Wilmot was a choirmaster, composer, and multi-instrumentalist whose life and work was largely centered in New Brunswick, NJ. Born in 1858, Wilmot attended Rutgers College where he sang in the Glee Club, a touring group he would eventually direct. An advance notice of the group’s Christmas 1887 performance in Richmond, Va. declared: “The club is composed of fourteen members, has been in existence fifteen years, and has won for itself a reputation second to no other college club in the country.” (Richmond Dispatch, 7). Around 1889, Wilmot was also recorded in performance as the bass player in the New Brunswick Opera House orchestra conducted by Fred. A. Hart (Raritan, 17).
In the late 1800s, Wilmot married Mary Deshler (July 19, 1867-July 28, 1962), whose family was closely tied to Christ Church (Episcopal) in New Brunswick (Genealogical, 474). The couple had two sons, James Deshler Wilmot (1891-1939) George William Wilmot Jr. (1892-1981), both of whom attended Rutgers College (Yearbooks, 1912).

George W. Wilmot served as Choirmaster of Christ Church (Episcopal), New Brunswick, from 1885-1930. “Wilmot had been a pupil of Joseph Barnby in [Barnby’s] native England” and led a choir of men and boys. This men and boys choir sang for the first time on Easter Day 1894. Wilmot also served the community as Music Supervisor of the New Brunswick Public Schools (Trautman, 3). Wilmot was a member of the American Guild of Organists and published several songs for youth in The Westminster Primary Quarterly (ed., J. T. Faris). A publication of the Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath School Work. Wilmot retired as choirmaster of Christ Church in 1930, after 45 years of service. (Trautman, 4). He died three years later, and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, New Brunswick, NJ.

Alice Campbell